Assessing the gaits of the equine can be difficult. Educating yourself on proper movement and watching multiple horses can help the average horseman to recognize proper or improper movement. The use of video is very useful as the stride is faster than the human eye can process.

I want to talk about the common gaits of walk, trot, lope/canter and gallop. There are some breeds that pace or rack but due to length of this article, they will not be discussed here. Within each gait of the equine is what we call the stride. The stride has two phases. In the first phase the hoof is in contact with the ground. The limb is under concussion and compression forces are occurring during phase one of the stride. Phase two of the stride is the swing phase or movement of the hoof. As the heel leaves the ground, this is called break over. Then the toe pushes off, called propulsion.

The walk is a four beat symmetrical gait. Propulsion for the walk starts in the hind legs and the front legs follow. For example, right hind, right front, left hind, left front. The walk also contains a diagonal which is difficult to see without video technology. The link at the end of this article shows a great example.

The trot is a 2 beat, natural gait. The legs move together in diagonal pairs. For example, the right hind moves forward with the left front following and the left hind moves forward with the right front following. The trot has variations to the length of stride and rate of speed.

The lope or canter is a restrained form of the gallop. It is a 3 beat gait with the diagonal legs paired in movement. For example, if the horse is traveling to the left, the right hind is the driving leg. The left hind and right front move together for balance, followed by left front and a moment of suspension. The gallop is a strung out lope/canter. It is faster than the lope/canter, a 4 beat gait, asymmetrical and has a longer period of suspension. To visualize the natural gaits of the horse watch the video below:

Travel Schedule

September 2017

Thursday 9/7: Iowa City

Monday 9/11: Waterloo

Thursday 9/14: Des Moines

Friday 9/15: Madrid

Monday 9/18: Muscatine/Burlington

Thursday 9/21: Dubuque

Friday 9/22: Dubuque

October 2017

Thursday 10/5: Des Moines

Friday 10/6: Ames

Monday 10/9: Waterloo

Monday 10/16: Iowa City

Thursday 10/19: Dubuque

Monday 10/23: Center Point

Thursday 10/26: Des Moines

Friday 10/27: Ames

Monday 10/30: Muscatine/Burlington

I can treat your animal at my office in Marion on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

You can contact us via text at (319) 560-9899

Categories

Testimonials

Viper

Viper is a 4year old, American Quarter Horse shown in Reining. He has been occasionally “off” ever since he was a weanling. In 2014, Viper was diagnosed with navicular. We have attempted several treatments, all with varying degrees of success. Nothing has shown a change in him as quickly as… Read more “Viper”

Nikki Rowe

Penny and Reno

Penny, our 8 year old AQHA/APHA mare, was diagnosed with navicular syndrome at age 5. From the initial diagnosis, Dr. Christine has been an integral part of our strategy to manage the disease, alleviate the pain and slow the progression. We believe in the application of traditional veterinary medicine as… Read more “Penny and Reno”

Cindy Harwood

Breeze

“We first met Dr. Christine in the early summer 2010 after a friend from our Mounted Shooting Horse club recommended her to us for our horses. Initially Dr. Christine worked on our son’s mare Breeze. Breeze at the time was a 10 year old very athletic mare; we had Chiropractic… Read more “Breeze”

The Vespermans

Lulu

Lulu spent the first 4 years of her life in a hoarder’s dark shed filled with uncountable other dogs and in filthy conditions without any human contact. The Humane Society rescued the dogs and Lulu was one of the group who’s physical health was stable enough to be given a… Read more “Lulu”

Saskia Melchert

Sam

Sam is a happy and active 8 year old Golden Retriever. Sam loves to chase birds and romp on the beach. Susan is a balloonist and Sam rides along in the chase vehicle. In 2011 Sam was involved in a car accident when the balloon chase vehicle she was riding… Read more “Sam”

Susan

Hally

Hally is a happy, active Chocolate Lab. She is 11 years old and the pet of Kelly Shoudy. This past winter Hally slipped on the ice and began limping on her front leg. Kelly took Hally to the veterinarian. She was given doggy ibuprofen. It helped some but Hally still… Read more “Hally”

Kelly Shoudy

Cooter

Over the years I have had the opportunity to work with a lot of great horses and some fantastic equine support staff. After all these years, I consider most show horses pretty easy to manage and keep in the condition physically and mentally to perform their best. That is, until… Read more “Cooter”

Jan

Fletch

We rescued Fletch in March of 2015 at the age of about 10 weeks old. He was in rough shape, having spent much of his life in a cage. He was malnourished, had little use of his back legs due to atrophy, plus he had a case of mange that… Read more “Fletch”

The Dummermuth Family

Vegas, Joey, Rhett and Ruby

VIPsvet is very fortunate to be able to treat Lindsay’s whole critter family! Lindsay first came to visit us for saddle fit issues and now brings all her horses for at least a yearly adjustment. Lindsay believes all her horses ride much better when maintained by Dr. Christine’s adjustments. She… Read more “Vegas, Joey, Rhett and Ruby”

Lindsay

Earl

I took my Great Dane, Earl, to Dr. Christine in June. He was having trouble with a dropped vertebra, just behind his hips. She gave him an adjustment and acupuncture along with Magna Wave treatment. Earl loves his visits and feels so much better afterwards. He is able to “feel”… Read more “Earl”

Heather Stroud

Franklin

We have a 9 year old mixed breed dog named Franklin that has been treated by Dr. Christine Woodford at VIPsvet. Franklin’s initial issue was a significant periodic limp from his right front leg that started in the spring of 2012. The approach was 4-fold: acupuncture, magnawave, prescribed stretching exercises… Read more “Franklin”

Jeff

Molly

Hi, my name is Becky Thompson and I’m from Forest City, IA. I can’t say enough great things about Dr. Christine. She came into my life at a time when I thought there was no hope for my 13 year old Beagle Molly. Molly is an active beagle. She still acts… Read more “Molly”

Becky Thompson

Vega

I first met Dr. Christine at the Iowa horse fair a few years ago. I had just bought my AQHA mare “Vega” a few months prior. I was having a hard time getting Vega to transition smoothly from a trot to a lope. Dr. Christine was giving a clinic and… Read more “Vega”

Teresa Murray, Keokuk, Iowa

Molly

I have known Dr. Woodford from when she previously worked with Dr. Abraham. Knowing that she now practiced Chiropractic and Acupuncture, when our 6 year old, rescue Boston Terrier, Molly, needed help, I called Dr. Woodford. Molly was not socialized properly as a youngster and gets leary and worried about strangers.… Read more “Molly”

Susan Haupt

Emily

We wanted to let you know how pleased we are with the outcome of our visits. As you know, our 13 year old, female, Dachshund, Emily, had been having serious back issues for 3 months. These problems lead to a significant loss of control of her back two legs. This… Read more “Emily”

Suzan Limaye

Cooter

Over the years I have had the opportunity to work with a lot of great horses and some fantastic equine support staff. After all these years, I consider most show horses pretty easy to manage and keep in the condition physically and mentally to perform their best. That is, until… Read more “Cooter”

Jan

Mezi and Tater

I have been doing Powderpuff Chuckwagon racing for many years. Normally, the gals drive teams that are supplied by the wagon owners. For the past 7 years, I have owned my horses for my powderpuff team. I’m very particular about my horses, and this allows me to control the care… Read more “Mezi and Tater”

June Rieck

Chance

In March of 2012, our 13 year old Maltese / Miniature Schnauzer dog, Chance, started experiencing problems walking with his hind legs. His legs would slide apart when he would stand. He started walking with a “hump back” and he was obviously experiencing discomfort. We took him to our local… Read more “Chance”

Anette

Roy

Last year at the World Show, we got down there and Roy just wasn’t quite “right”. I had called my husband the night before my main class and said I didn’t think I’d get him shown as he was not feeling himself. It’s a lot on these horses (trailering for… Read more “Roy”

Renee

Rhymer

Rhymer is a 10 year old Warmblood. I have had Rhymer about 6 months. Three months ago, he starting kicking out at the canter departs. He was visibly very tense and defensive in his back. He was reluctant to go forward. We could tell he was uncomfortable somewhere. Dr Christine… Read more “Rhymer”

Kelly Kramer

Hank

Hank, a year and a half old Great Dane, is very friendly with people, children and other dogs and is also one of the biggest lap dogs you’ll ever meet! At the end of July last year, Hank and Tony were at one of the local dog parks, interacting with… Read more “Hank”

Tony Kobusch and Anthony Brown

Red River Ranch

Dr Woodford has been taking care of my horses and horses in my care for several years. I can honestly say that without Dr Woodford on “our team” our horses would not be as successful as they have been. Whether it is diagnoses of lameness and chiropractic treatments, acupuncture or… Read more “Red River Ranch”

Jan Bringham

Buddy

In 2015 Buddy began to have back pain. We woke in the middle of the night to him struggling to breathe and move. We took him to Key West Animal Clinic in Dubuque where he was put on pain medication. Dr. Kim recommended taking Buddy to see a chiropractor in… Read more “Buddy”

Ashley and Jason Lange

Nubby

A stiff, old Lady, owned by a stiff, old Lady I work at PetSmart in Dubuque and have a lot of dealings with the Jackson County Humane Society. In September of 2011, the president invited me to see their facility. When we got to the quarantine kennels, I met “her.”… Read more “Nubby”

Jane Wickler

Viper

Viper is a 4year old, American Quarter Horse shown in Reining. He has been occasionally “off” ever since he was a weanling. In 2014, Viper was diagnosed with navicular. We have attempted several treatments, all with varying degrees of success. Nothing has shown a change in him as quickly… Read more “Viper”

Nikki Rowe

Jade

Jade is a big, beautiful, grey Quarter Horse. She is 5 years old and Susan shows her in Western and English. We started seeing Jade in July of 2014 when she was tripping a lot and lame upfront. Susan felt like Jade’s shoulders were out. When Dr. Christine examined Jade… Read more “Jade”

Susan Buresh

Nushka

Nushka is a three year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback. She shows in conformation. When Nushka was 13 months old she suffered a broken leg. She had surgery and had a plate put in to aid in aligning the bones. It was a long road to healing for Nushka. Muriel, Nushka’s owner, sought… Read more “Nushka”

Muriel

Red

Dr. Woodford has a reputation of being one of the best horse veterinarians in the state of Iowa. She is very forward thinking and is an equine dentist. To me having a veterinarian who is also an equine dentist is very important, especially with an older horse. Red was a… Read more “Red”

Patti Coble

Blaze

Blaze is a 14 year old, all around grade pony. This summer, Blaze seemed off. His lope wasn’t as smooth as usual and he was hitting poles on the left side. I heard about Dr. Christine and thought I would try chiropractic. His lope smoothed up and he stopped hitting… Read more “Blaze”

Amy Turner

Mia

Mia is a 14 year old QH mare. I’ve had her since she was born. So needless to say she is very special to me and yes a little spoiled. She is normally a very sweet girl, so last May 2015 when she was cranky and started rubbing her head… Read more “Mia”

Hope

Johnny

Besides being a wonderful family pet, Johnny is a great agility dog! He visits Dr. Christine a few times a year to stay fit and comfortable for his agility competitions. Thanks Dr. Christine!

Cindy

Belle

Belle, our 11-year old lab, has been a patient of Dr. Christine’s for a few months. When we first took Belle to Dr. Christine, Belle could not walk, stand, or turn around without falling. She had no strength in her back legs due to arthritis. Thanks to Dr. Christine’s chiropractic,… Read more “Belle”

Jackie and Rick Mason

Choju

In December, 2011, Choju, our almost 3 year old Akita, had been been out playing with my husband. There was some light snow on the ground, but the walks were cleared. She ran up the deck steps to go inside in a hurry for that treat she knew she would… Read more “Choju”

Jennifer

Lucy

Dr. Christine adjusted my Rocky Mountain Horse, Lucy, at 3G Stables in Ames. Lucy slipped going down a hill on a trail ride in August and strained her right chest/shoulder. A month later Lucy appeared sound and had been working well, But I still didn’t think she was back to… Read more “Lucy”

Ginny Montgomery

Beth

Kathy first sought our services in May of 2016. Beth suddenly was not placing well at the shows. A judge noticed Beth’s back was not flat. Kathy came to see Dr. Christine for treatment. Beth responded well to treatment and is back to winning in the show ring!

Kathy

Emma

Emma is a seven year old Dachshund. She is the beloved pet of Don and Verlene Hanson. Like most Doxies, Emma is happy and active. In June, Emma injured her neck. Verlene found her with her back hunched, unable to turn her neck and head down, nose on the ground.… Read more “Emma”

Verlene

Jade

Jade is a big, beautiful, grey Quarter Horse. She is 5 years old and Susan shows her in Western and English. We started seeing Jade in July of 2014 when she was tripping a lot and lame upfront. Susan felt like Jade’s shoulders were out. When Dr. Christine examined Jade… Read more “Jade”

Susan Buresh

Ritz

Three years ago, I purchased a rescued OTTB who had been retrained as a hunter. When Ritz was delivered to the stable, we all were taken aback by this skeletal patchwork of a 16.3 Thoroughbred that carefully backed out of the trailer. Never wasting resources, the stable owner had Ritz… Read more “Ritz”

Gina Sparacino

Paisley

Paisley is an eight year old, female Boxer who shows in Confirmation, Obedience and Rally competitions. Early this spring, Paisley started vomiting with abdominal pain. She wouldn’t eat, didn’t feel well and rapidly lost weight. She was taken to her regular veterinarian and diagnosed with pancreatitis, an inflammation of the… Read more “Paisley”

Bernard and Ruth

Royale

Theresa Wilson and CH KOTUR’S Riche and Royale I did it! I bred the most competitive conformation French Bulldog I’d seen in years in just two generations. KOTUR’s Riche and Royale is as close to the written standard as any Frenchie I’ve seen. He has a classic head, substantial bone,… Read more “Royale”

Royale

Flash

It is hard for anyone to understand- if they haven’t had a pet before- that pets are family. For us, this really became a view in our lives at the end of March of 2016. Flash, the family Bassett hound, suddenly could no longer use his back legs. He was… Read more “Flash”

Kaitlyn & Ryan Schilling

Willy

Willy is a 10 year old quarter horse. He means the world to me and we enjoy barrel racing together. He sometimes gets tight in his poll, neck and back as a lot of barrel horses do. I am very diligent about keeping Willy feeling his best so I take… Read more “Willy”

Jay

Our family has been using the services of Veterinary Integrative Performance Services (VIPs) for over 7 years now. We cannot thank Christine Woodford, the certified animal chiropractor and acupuncturist, enough for how she has made our horses and dogs life more comfortable through her services. Jay, our 16year old POA… Read more “Jay”

The Grosse Family

Gracie

It may seem odd to some that I would write a testimonial for Dr. Christine when I am employed by her. Of course, I am going to say something good! Well, I can remember when she first told me that she was going to pursue animal chiropractic. I said, “I… Read more “Gracie”

Carla Baumgartner

Penny and Reno

Penny, our 8 year old AQHA/APHA mare, was diagnosed with navicular syndrome at age 5. From the initial diagnosis, Dr. Christine has been an integral part of our strategy to manage the disease, alleviate the pain and slow the progression. We believe in the application of traditional veterinary medicine as… Read more “Penny and Reno”

Cindy Harwood, Hickory Grove Ranch

Gage

Hi! I’m Gage. I am a Deutsch Langhaar. I love to hunt pheasants, ducks, rabbits and just about anything else that runs! Last spring I hurt my iliopsoas muscle. I don’t know what that is, but it hurt when I ran and played. My mom talked to some people who… Read more “Gage”

Cathy Buenzow

Lily

Thanks to Dr. Woodford’s chiropractic care and acupuncture treatments our dog Lily did not have to have major spinal surgery. Regular chiropractic and acupuncture treatments have improved Lily’s quality of life and her disposition. We have peace of mind knowing that Lily feels better and is getting the care she… Read more “Lily”

Ernie & Betty Smith

Lucy

Our four-year old Labradoodle, Lucy, was diagnosed with mild arthritis in her front elbow and continually limped on her front leg. We tried anti-inflammatory and pain medications and yet she continued to limp. Because of her young age, I was concerned about keeping her on medication to alleviate her discomfort.… Read more “Lucy”

Ann Hammond

Maggie

Around the end of May, 2012, our Cocker Spaniel, Maggie developed an immune-mediated disease. Her little body began attacking itself. She went from walking 5 or 6 half mile trips around the block to barely making it to the end of our street. We were lucky that we caught it… Read more “Maggie”

Mike and Shelley Massell

Riley

Riley is a 10 year old rescued Dachshund. In January, Riley could not lift or move his head at the neck without screaming in severe pain. We would carry him outside to do his business where he also would have major discomfort. After using heat therapy and pain medication, with… Read more “Riley”

Debbie Derby Pickens

Montana

Montana (on the right, with her buddy Chevy) is a typical 7 year old Corgi, active and happy. We see another dog for Melissa, so when Montana acutely came down with a painful neck she quickly made an appointment for Montana. This video shows how Montana presented to us on… Read more “Montana”

Melissa

Western Pleasure Horse

We have been perplexed for the last year or so with a very talented young western pleasure horse that would occasionally exhibit a “short” or “lazy” step at the jog. We had his hocks and stifles x-rayed and even sent off to a specialist. Nothing physically could be found to… Read more “Western Pleasure Horse”

Sue Voss - Voss Quarter Horses

Viento

My Peruvian Paso gelding came to Dr. Woodford for treatment a few weeks ago. He had been examined and treated by three equine veterinarians and one chiropractor over a 9 month period in Arizona. I was very close to putting him down. After that many opinions and months of various… Read more “Viento”

Ann Adkins

Ginger

We first brought our 8 year old English bulldog, Ginger to Dr. Woodford in May of 2012. Our main concern at that point was her mobility. She suffers from arthritis and was limping and seemed to be in some discomfort. Our vet, Dr. Bergfeld suggested Dr. Woodford’s medical expertise. At… Read more “Ginger”

Deb Burgess

Lily

It was love at first sight when we met Lily, a sweet 11-year old American Eskimo mix. Lily was found as a stray in Florida. She made her way to Iowa thanks to Last Hope Rescue. She was living in foster care for about a year before we adopted her… Read more “Lily”

Jackie Mason

Sage

Sage is an aged gelding that sustained an injury to his shoulder in February. His veterinarian diagnosed him with Sweeney. Sweeney shoulder in horses occurs when there is damage to the suprascapular nerve that controls the Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus and Triceps muscles. Injury causes atrophy or “wasting away” of the muscles… Read more “Sage”

Deb

Myra Crawford Show Horses

Myra Crawford Show Horses is located in Elberon, Iowa. We specialize in halter and long line. I enjoy working with clients and their horses to achieve their showing goals. I have shown multiple futurity winners and medallion earners. My most recent accomplishments are 2011 Reserve World Champion Non Pro Longe… Read more “Myra Crawford Show Horses”

Myra Crawford

Neo

Last fall I purchased a 19 year old retired rope horse that I wanted to use on trails. He is a registered paint but looks all Quarter Horse. His name is Neo. My best friend had him since he was 3. She has been roping on him all the time… Read more “Neo”

Marilyn

Vinnie and Dierks

Anmial Name: Vinnie 3 year old wp gelding, Dierks 6 year old all around qh gelding Description of Services: I sought your services for issues with Dierks being sore and not always being sound. Then was such a great service that after I lost Dierks continued to bring vinnie so… Read more “Vinnie and Dierks”

Amber

Phil

A few years ago while hiking, I heard my 4 year old Vizsla yelp and come back to me hobbling on 3 legs. I rested him for a week and a half and when he did not fully recover, I suspected a cruciate rupture. I took him to my veterinarian… Read more “Phil”

Lauren

Lucky

Lucky is a beloved family pet. He is an 11 ½ yr. old Bichon/Maltese cross. Back in October Lucky had sudden onset of loss of function in his rear legs. We took Lucky to our vet for x-rays. The x-rays showed spinal disease, herniated discs, common to his breed. This… Read more “Lucky”

Holly

Piston

Piston is a 10 year old, Pembroke Welsh Corgi. About 5 years ago, Piston fell in an open register hole in our house – we were refinishing wood floors. After he fell in, he took off running again. I didn’t give it much thought until a few days later, when… Read more “Piston”

LinAnn Lauer

Daisy Mae

Daisy Mae is a 6 year old English Mastiff. When she was quite young, she had two surgeries on the same back leg so there have always been issues with that particular leg. We had been taking Daisy to FidoFit in Dubuque for physio therapy (which has been wonderful). Mary… Read more “Daisy Mae”

Kim Brandt

Bowsky

My name is Mary Erschen and my husband and I own FidoFit in Dubuque, Iowa. FidoFit is a structured daycare and boarding facility featuring an indoor canine fitness gym with pet specific equipment. Our gym services are enjoyed by dogs of all ages, sizes and abilities. It was thrilling for… Read more “Bowsky”

Mary Erschen

India

Our 13 year old Golden had been receiving acupuncture for arthritis and a progressive disease called degenerative myelopathy (weakness in the rear end) in Anchorage Alaska. This fall we made the move to Mount Vernon Iowa. Knowing I would need to find “India” a veterinarian who could provide her with… Read more “India”

Nancy & Jerry Niederhauser

Red

Dr. Woodford has a reputation of being one of the best horse veterinarians in the state of Iowa. She is very forward thinking and is an equine dentist. To me having a veterinarian who is also an equine dentist is very important, especially with an older horse. Red was a… Read more “Red”

Patti Coble

Tuffy

Hel On Socks, aka “Tuffy” is a six year old Quarter Horse. We raised him and Eric trained him. Tuffy is out of a full sister to a gelding that Eric ran and won many barrel races on. I purchased Tuffy’s sire in South Dakota as a weanling and won… Read more “Tuffy”

Carla Baumgartner

Fly

Fly is an 11 year old mare that I compete in Barrel Racing. Fly and I starting barrel racing in 2015 and had a great first year. The fall came and we gave her the winter off. When we started conditioning her in the spring we noticed that she was… Read more “Fly”

Matt Koch

Tess

I can’t begin to describe the change in my 11 year old corgi, Tess, since beginning to see Dr. Christine at the start of February. I took her to Dr. Christine because I had run out of options for a good quality of life with traditional veterinary care. She was… Read more “Tess”

Stephanie Howard

Roy

Last year at the World Show, we got down there and Roy just wasn’t quite “right”. I had called my husband the night before my main class and said I didn’t think I’d get him shown as he was not feeling himself. It’s a lot on these horses (trailering for… Read more “Roy”

Renee

Buddy

Christine, Thank you, thank you, thank you! What a difference you made in our little guy Buddy. Buddy is a 2-year-old Schnoodle who had a nervous tick for the last month. He moved his head up and down in rapid movements. Our regular vet suggest we bring Buddy to a… Read more “Buddy”

Kim B - Buddy's mommy

Jade

Jade, my 12 year old Corgi, has always been happy and healthy. Approximately a month ago she started dragging her right leg on Saturday and by the next day she had very limited use of both back legs. She would stand up but fall back down within a step or… Read more “Jade”

Ali Hayford

Chickie

Chickie has been seeing Dr. Christine since she was 4 months old. She goes monthly for routine treatments. Being a large dog and one of many in the household, the playing and romping can get quite rough. Monthly treatments have kept Chickie very well balanced and healthy looking when she… Read more “Chickie”

Muriel Wood

Red River Ranch

Dr Woodford has been taking care of my horses and horses in my care for several years. I can honestly say that without Dr Woodford on “our team” our horses would not be as successful as they have been. Whether it is diagnoses of lameness and chiropractic treatments, acupuncture or… Read more “Red River Ranch”

Jan Bringham

Olive

Our dog Olive, a mix of Poodle and Shih Tzu, was almost 13 years old before receiving a combination of chiropractic care and Petthrive soft chews. After having had the chiropractic care and Petthrive, she seems more like 13 years young. Her mobility, disposition, and energy level have noticeably improved.… Read more “Olive”

Kathy Conlon

Mia

Mia is a 14 year old QH mare. I’ve had her since she was born. So needless to say she is very special to me and yes a little spoiled. She is normally a very sweet girl, so last May 2015 when she was cranky and started rubbing her head… Read more “Mia”

Hope

Neo

Last fall I purchased a 19 year old retired rope horse that I wanted to use on trails. He is a registered paint but looks all Quarter Horse. His name is Neo. My best friend had him since he was 3. She has been roping on him all the time… Read more “Neo”

Marilyn

Ziggy

My 12 year-old Pug, Ziggy was diagnosed with hip dysplasia and arthritis many years ago. To ensure the best quality of life in his golden years, I take him to Dr. Christine Woodford. Her treatments consist of a chiropractic adjustment, acupuncture and Magna Wave. Ziggy can walk poorly due to… Read more “Ziggy”

Meghan Brewer

India

Our 13 year old Golden had been receiving acupuncture for arthritis and a progressive disease called degenerative myelopathy (weakness in the rear end) in Anchorage Alaska. This fall we made the move to Mount Vernon Iowa. Knowing I would need to find “India” a veterinarian who could provide her with… Read more “India”

Nancy & Jerry Niederhauser

Joe

Joe is an 11 year old Boxer who is a part of our family. Easter weekend, Joe couldn’t get up, eat or go outside to potty by himself. We took Joe to our veterinarian who diagnosed him with Canine Degenerative Myelopathy. CDM is a progressive disease of the spinal cord… Read more “Joe”

Robin

Izzy

In January Izzy and I were playing tug-o-war on the bed. She caught her foot in a blanket and yelped. This must have been the straw that broke the camels back so to speak. When I took Izzy to her veterinarian, he said she had disc pain. We tried a… Read more “Izzy”

Susan Kedley

Wrigley

Wrigley is my 3 year old Great Dane. I’ve had him since he was 8 weeks old and he has always had a sensitive stomach. But after a naughty episode of him eating some stuffing out of his dog bed in July 2015, he developed acid reflux. In the initial… Read more “Wrigley”

Jen Bowden

Loper

My 9 year old APHA gelding, Chex N Checkers (a.k.a. Loper) responded very well to Magna Wave therapy. I show him in All Around events so his days at the show are long. Loper tends to get tight and sore in his right shoulder, especially on the first day of… Read more “Loper”

Stacie

Allie

Allie is a 12 year old Pinto. We enjoy trail riding. This winter Allie started to rush into her canter. She also would try to bite me when saddling. I wanted to rule out any physical pain. I scheduled an appointment with Dr. Christine for a chiropractic adjustment. Allie threw… Read more “Allie”

Nikki Thummel

Fire

Natalie Spinsby and her Shetland Sheepdog, Fire, have been selected as one of 10 children and 13 dogs to compete on the 2016 European Open Junior Agility Championship team. They will travel to Slovakia in July to represent the United States. The US is one of 9 countries competing at… Read more “Fire”

Natalie Spinsby

Orville

Two years ago I was having some problems with my barrel horse, Orville. I came to Dr. Christine and she treated him with chiropractic and acupuncture. It really helped him to relax, stretch and help pin point some other issues. He was working well and feeling great. I wanted to… Read more “Orville”

Natalie Foutch

Jay

Our family has been using the services of Veterinary Integrative Performance Services (VIPs) for over 7 years now. We cannot thank Christine Woodford, the certified animal chiropractor and acupuncturist, enough for how she has made our horses and dogs life more comfortable through her services. Jay, our 16year old POA… Read more “Jay”

The Grosse Family

Vega

I first met Dr. Christine at the Iowa horse fair a few years ago. I had just bought my AQHA mare “Vega” a few months prior. I was having a hard time getting Vega to transition smoothly from a trot to a lope. Dr. Christine was giving a clinic and… Read more “Vega”

Teresa Murray Keokuk, Iowa

Captain

I got Captain about 5 months ago. He is a 9 year old off the track Thoroughbred. Captain had about 2 years off before I got him, since then he has been put back into heavy work/training. I could tell he was having back pain and was very sore. He… Read more “Captain”

Buckles awards

Satuday, October 27, 2012 was last Sort and Pen event for the season at Shelbyville, MO. Buckles were awarded for the fastest time of the night and it just so happened that the team that won were all 3 horses that Dr. Christine Woodford works on and keeps in good… Read more “Buckles awards”

Shelbyville

Hannah

Hannah Mae is a 10 year old German Short Hair Pointer. Hannah started seeing Dr. Christine in late October. Her back right leg would shake frequently. When the left leg started to shake too I began to think she may have a pinched nerve. I asked my chiropractor if he… Read more “Hannah”

Shirley Jenson

Minnie Mouse

Minnie Mouse is a 10 year old black, Pug. She was hit by a car when she was 4 months old and broke her hip. Minnie healed with only some slight stiffness in her hip. We knew as she aged she would have some problems with mobility. This spring, I… Read more “Minnie Mouse”

Deb Vesperman

Buddy

In 2015 Buddy began to have back pain. We woke in the middle of the night to him struggling to breathe and move. We took him to Key West Animal Clinic in Dubuque where he was put on pain medication. Dr. Kim recommended taking Buddy to see a chiropractor in… Read more “Buddy”

Ashley and Jason Lange

Gator and Axle

My name is Lucy Lewis and I am 15 years old. I have two show horses that I show in Pinto Horse Association. My first horse Gator, Suddenly Im Good, is a 10-year-old paint pinto gelding. I have owned Gator for six years. My second horse Axle, Im Axle Rose,… Read more “Gator and Axle”

Lucy Lewis

Zoi

We had been to 4 different vets and they had all told us, Zoi our 6 year old Maltese would never walk again. In November 2012 Zoi started acting stoved up and stiff, within two days she went from stiff to not being able to move her back legs. We… Read more “Zoi”

Jalene

Amy

“We are so grateful to Dr. Christine for saving our dog’s life. Last fall, our vibrant and energetic, 8 year old Border Collie, Amy, had become very weak. She was not steady on her feet, could not walk up or down stairs, and had to be fed lying down. Her… Read more “Amy”

Ann

Evan

Just wanted to thank you for the chiropractic treatment you gave Evan earlier this week. Got to ride him for the first time since our visit and he was FANTASTIC! I didn’t have to do any of my usual tricks to keep him balanced. And, since he was more balanced… Read more “Evan”

Katherine

Toby and Sola

We have two Shih Tzu dogs, Toby and Sola. Toby is 14 years old and Sola just turned 8. A few years ago Sola was having pain in her back and hind legs, we took her to our veterinarian and they gave her pain shots but when the shot wore… Read more “Toby and Sola”

Jan Smethurst

Vinnie and Dierks

Anmial Name: Vinnie 3 year old wp gelding, Dierks 6 year old all around qh gelding Description of Services: I sought your services for issues with Dierks being sore and not always being sound. Then was such a great service that after I lost Dierks continued to bring vinnie so… Read more “Vinnie and Dierks”

Sage

Sage is an aged gelding that sustained an injury to his shoulder in February. His veterinarian diagnosed him with Sweeney. Sweeney shoulder in horses occurs when there is damage to the suprascapular nerve that controls the Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus and Triceps muscles. Injury causes atrophy or “wasting away” of the muscles… Read more “Sage”

Deb

Mackie

Mackie is a 12 year old female boxer who came to Dr. Christine for help with tight hips and lack of mobility in her neck. With one treatment she was able to fully move her head side to side and her cervical spine was able to lengthen so she could… Read more “Mackie”

Jen

Prince and Nikko

Prince and Nikko earn their keep as trail horses. I noticed the boys were having some “problems”. I had used an equine chiropractor in Colorado. An internet search led me to Dr. Christine Woodford. Prince, owned by Lisa Kruidenier, was always mean and crabby towards his pasture mates. When Dr.… Read more “Prince and Nikko”

Lisa Kruidenier & Teri Juhl

Sadie

Famous Horse Farm shows all-around performance horses. She’s Fancy and Famous, “Sadie” and White Silk Stockings, “Lucy” have both benefited from treatment by Dr. Christine. Sadie was having loping issues and Dr. Christine injected her hocks and it really improved her lope! She also gave us some exercises to do… Read more “Sadie”

George and Becky Maurer - Famous Horse Farm

AJ

My name is Elyse Buysse and I am 15 years old. My horse AJ is a 7 year old buckskin gelding. This is my 5th year of showing horses. This winter I participated in the Kirkwood Community College Student Saddle Club Winter Series horse shows at the Iowa Equestrian Center… Read more “AJ”